As the seemingly eternal mystery of what happened to Madeleine McCann exactly nine years ago fills yet more space in newspapers and on television, there has been a rush of ‘new stories’ - centering on anything from the Met’s unerring theory of a botched burglary, to a “secret visit” by Kate McCann last week to “walk the streets of Praia da Luz” and “hammer blow” revelations that controversial former investigator Gonçalo Amaral is writing a second no doubt controversial book.

Through the habitual noise of ‘anniversary stories’, we have been told by UK tabloids that the Metropolitan Police is gunning for three Portuguese men - among them a drifter and a drug addict - but that PJ detectives have been loath to sanction further requests for interviews, as they say there is no evidence.

What has changed - markedly in Portugal - is public discussion suggesting Madeleine’s disappearance may not have been an abduction at all but that, for ‘political reasons’, Metropolitan police orchestrating Operation Grange are simply not at liberty to think outside the box.

Over the weekend, former PJ detective Moita Flores explained it was possibly for “compassionate reasons” that the McCanns were not prosecuted for leaving their sleeping children alone in the first place - stressing that in Portuguese culture “that kind of behaviour would not be tolerated as reasonable”.

And in UK stories centred on the McCanns having pulled out of anniversary radio and talk show appearances, citing Amaral’s recent libel win as the reason.

But perhaps the ‘bombshell’ story - certainly the one that UK tabloids seemed to think piles “fresh agony” on Madeleine’s parents - is the fact that Amaral is planning a new book on the three-year-old’s disappearance: one in which he “revisits the timeline”, says the Express.

It is a book that he has been writing since 2009, and which he now says “with the probable departure of Scotland Yard from the investigations” is coming to an end.

Amaral told the Express over the weekend that he firmly believes a proper reconstruction of the night Madeleine went missing “could produce a vital breakthrough in the £12 million investigation”.

Crucial would be the engagement of the man seen carrying a child in his arms, Amaral told the Express.

But as the tabloid explains, according to Scotland Yard, this man has been eliminated as an “innocent holidaymaker”.

Adding to obstacles is the information given to the paper that Madeleine’s parents “do not wish to engage with anything Amaral says”. Thus it is another year with no answers - only different from all the others because Gonçalo Amaral’s book that the McCanns so object to is once more on sale in bookstores - and because Scotland Yard has revealed its investigations are close to an inconclusive end.

Go, Go Rocky Amaral!

"What has changed - markedly in Portugal - is public discussion suggesting Madeleine’s disappearance may not have been an abduction at all but that, for ‘political reasons’, Metropolitan police orchestrating Operation Grange are simply not at liberty to think outside the box."

"What has changed - markedly in Portugal - is public discussion suggesting Madeleine’s disappearance may not have been an abduction at all but that, for ‘political reasons’, Metropolitan police orchestrating Operation Grange are simply not at liberty to think outside the box."

Gonçalo is at liberty to think outside the box, though, and I believe he will carry on with this investigation, with the help of a few important helpers, and he knows he's also got support from thousands of people around the world who have raised £52k to help him win his court battle.

"What has changed - markedly in Portugal - is public discussion suggesting Madeleine’s disappearance may not have been an abduction at all but that, for ‘political reasons’, Metropolitan police orchestrating Operation Grange are simply not at liberty to think outside the box."

Gonçalo is at liberty to think outside the box, though, and I believe he will carry on with this investigation, with the help of a few important helpers, and he knows he's also got support from thousands of people around the world who have raised £52k to help him win his court battle.

Another thing that has changed this year is there is no mention of a Rothley church service to mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. Kate McCann did not attend last year's service as her father was ill, so her Tapas friend stepped into the breach. This year? nada.

Let's hope they can take time out from the internecine squabbles in the Westminster bubble to see a diplomatic crisis looming.

Perhaps the Embassy staff, freed up from McC protection duties, can do what they're supposed to and alert the PM to news that the Met name is being dragged through the mud with a world audience looking on.

@aquila wrote:Another thing that has changed this year is there is no mention of a Rothley church service to mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. Kate McCann did not attend last year's service as her father was ill, so her Tapas friend stepped into the breach. This year? nada.

The anniversary is tomorrow though, so there's still time for Kate to step into the limelight and make it all about her....the 'secret' visit being just the start.

The most likely real 'anniversary' of Maddie's death was marked by Tony Bennett delivering his stonking letter to the Prime Minister!

@Mirage wrote:Let's hope they can take time out from the internecine squabbles in the Westminster bubble to see a diplomatic crisis looming.

Perhaps the Embassy staff, freed up from McC protection duties, can do what they're supposed to and alert the PM to news that the Met name is being dragged through the mud with a world audience looking on.

@aquila wrote:Another thing that has changed this year is there is no mention of a Rothley church service to mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. Kate McCann did not attend last year's service as her father was ill, so her Tapas friend stepped into the breach. This year? nada.

And last year bike training round Liverpool took precedence over remembering her daughter.

"What has changed - markedly in Portugal - is public discussion suggesting Madeleine’s disappearance may not have been an abduction at all but that, for ‘political reasons’, Metropolitan police orchestrating Operation Grange are simply not at liberty to think outside the box."

Gonçalo is at liberty to think outside the box, though, and I believe he will carry on with this investigation, with the help of a few important helpers, and he knows he's also got support from thousands of people around the world who have raised £52k to help him win his court battle.

Get 'em Gonçalo!

That assurance has boosted my confidence no end. I can only see things as an outsider so in that respect I'm retarded in terms of the possibilities open to Mr. Amaral to pursue the case - t'is grand to hear that Mr. Amaral's determination is not thwarted by hidden obstacles, as the PJ investigation appeared to be.

____________________“ The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made" - Groucho Marx

@Get'emGonçalo wrote:Crucial would be the engagement of the man seen carrying a child in his arms, Amaral told the Express.

But as the tabloid explains, according to Scotland Yard, this man has been eliminated as an “innocent holidaymaker”.

The article seems to assume that he was referring to Tannerman, but he could just as easily have been referring to Smithman.

Either way - focusing on Tannerman will unravel the fact that it was a complete fabrication, which is explosive for those involved. So 'engaging' the subject is still useful even if he meant Tannerman..cheeky sleight of hand there or did he mean Smithman?

@aquila wrote:Another thing that has changed this year is there is no mention of a Rothley church service to mark the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance. Kate McCann did not attend last year's service as her father was ill, so her Tapas friend stepped into the breach. This year? nada.

The anniversary is tomorrow though, so there's still time for Kate to step into the limelight and make it all about her....the 'secret' visit being just the start.

The most likely real 'anniversary' of Maddie's death was marked by Tony Bennett delivering his stonking letter to the Prime Minister!

Justice for Maddie.

There was a vigil at Rothley yesterday. It was low key and the Daily Mail reported.

Kate and Gerry McCann lead prayers for their missing daughter Madeleine as they vow 'there will always be hope' on ninth anniversary of her disappearance in Portugal

Kate and Gerry McCann have attended a prayer vigil for missing Madeleine

Mrs McCann read an Emily Dickinson poem at the vigil in Rothley

They also released a statement on the ninth anniversary of the incident

She said she thinks Madeleine was not taken 'a million miles' from resort

Madeleine McCann disappeared from Praia da Luz apartment in May 2007

Despite thousands of potential 'sightings', youngster has never been found

Eddie and Keela alerted to items and places concerned with the McCanns - and importantly to no other items or places.

According to Eddie and Keela, the body of Madeleine McCann lay lifeless behind the sofa in Apartment 5a, clinging to the only thing from which she could derive any comfort; a soft toy called 'Cuddle cat'.

Former Met Police Chief Lord Stevens:"There was no hard evidence because of the sheer inadequacy of the Portuguese investigation. There's absolutely no chance the parents of Madeleine McCann would be charged with her murder in this country. I've been a detective at the most senior level for 30 years and have never seen such a witch-hunt, or one based on such flimsy evidence."

Ch Insp Tavares de Almeida: "Kate and Gerald McCann are involved in the concealment of the cadaver of their daughter Madeleine McCann. From what has been established up to now, everything indicates that the McCann couple, in self-defence, doesn't want to deliver the cadaver immediately and voluntarily."

Kate's book 'madeleine', Page 219: "Did they really believe that a dog could smell the 'odour of death' three months later from a body that had been so swiftly removed?"

After forensic analysis of the 'Last Photo' there is little doubt now that the pool photo CANNOT POSSIBLY have been taken on the Thursday 3rd May, but most likely on the Sunday 29th April. So, where was Madeleine at lunchtime on Thursday? We don't know, but we can begin to "purport theories" based both on strong evidence, and lack of evidence.

Dr Gonçalo Amaral, retired PJ Coordinator: "The English can always present the conclusions to which they themselves arrived in 2007. Because they know, they have the evidence of what happened, they don't need to investigate anything. When MI5 opens their files, then we will know the truth."

Ex-Met DCI Colin Sutton: "The most likely scenario is that Madeleine was stolen to order by slave traders and smuggled into Africa for a rich family who wanted a white child."

Ex-Met DCI Andy Redwood had a "revelation moment" on BBC1's Crimewatch on 14th October 2013 when he announced that Operation Grange had eliminated the Tanner sighting - which opened up the 'window' of opportunity', in accordance with their remit, to allow the staged abduction to happen.

Tracey Kandohla: "A McCann pal told The Sun Online: "Some of the savings have been siphoned off from the Find Maddie Fund into a fixed asset account, which financial experts have advised them to do. It can be used for purchases like buying a house or building equipment."

Gerry McCann called for an example to be made of 'trolls'. SKY reporter Martin Brunt doorstepped Brenda Leyland on 2 October 2014 after a 'Dossier' was handed in to Police by McCann supporters. She was then found dead in a Leicester hotel room the next day. Brenda paid the price.